Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has been used in traditional herbal medicine for mental rejuvenation and longevity.
Gotu kola has also been used for gastrointestinal health, fevers, infections, and many other ailments.
Modern research has confirmed many of these benefits, and gotu kola may benefit brain disorders, blood pressure, skin health, and more.
This article covers the important benefits of gotu kola, its safety, and how to add this herb to your diet.
Table of Contents
What is Gotu Kola?
Gotu kola is a creeping herb primarily found in damp, swampy areas, such as Asia, South America, and Central America. It’s a hardy herb that can grow in many areas.
Interestingly, gotu kola has over 60 common names, including Indian Pennywort, Asiatic Pennywort, Marsh Penny, and Ji Xue Cao.
Gotu kola is rich in many bioactive compounds and nutrients, which may offer health benefits.
In particular, gotu kola contains:
- Triterpenes (such as asiaticoside, brahmoside, and madecassic acid)
- Carotenoids
- Flavonoids
- Tannins
- B-Complex vitamins
- Iron, calcium, and other minerals.
Among all these, the triterpenes (or triterpenoids) seem to be the most beneficial.
Triterpenes are a group of chemical compounds that possess a wide variety of health effects, including potential anti-inflammatory, immunosupportive, anti-cancer, and cognitive-enhancing activities.
Within this group, the most beneficial triterpenes seem to be:
- Asiaticoside
- Asiatic acid
- Brahmoside
- Madecassoside
- Madecassic acid.
Health Benefits of Gotu Kola:
There are many potential health benefits of gotu kola, most of which are attributed to its main bioactive compounds (i.e. triterpenes). Modern research, including numerous clinical studies, has shown that gotu kola may offer the following health benefits:
1. May Enhance Cognition
The most well-researched benefit of gotu kola is cognitive enhancement. Various clinical studies show that gotu kola may benefit brain function in many ways.
In a clinical study on 39 elderly women with dementia, patients who received 500mg of gotu kola had significant improvements in memory recall. It seemed to especially help with language and visual memory recall.
Another clinical study found that those who received a high dose (750mg daily) of gotu kola had significant improvements in working memory and processing speed when compared to the control group.
In one clinical trial involving elderly individuals with mild-cognitive impairment, supplementation with 500mg of gotu kola extract twice daily improved brain function, including memory and language recall. Also, the patients showed noticeable improvements in appetite, sleep, and other areas of their lifestyle.
In another clinical trial of healthy adults, supplementation with three to four grams of gotu kola capsules helped to improve cognitive function, including working memory, attention, recall, visual-spatial thinking, and processing speed.
Lastly, a clinical study found that a standardized gotu kola extract helped to increase choline in the brain. This is important since choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, which is a vital neurotransmitter (brain chemical) involved in learning and memory, among other things. This study reveals a possible mechanism for the cognitive benefits of gotu kola.
Summary:
Clinical research indicates that gotu kola may support cognitive function by improving memory, recall, and processing speed.
2. May Benefit Skin Health
Several research studies show that gotu kola may benefit skin health, including wound healing, increased moisturization, and damage protection.
In a clinical trial of 30 workers with dry skin, supplementation with a gotu kola cream significantly improved skin moisturization. These effects were similar to the effects of ceramide (a type of fatty acid that improves skin barrier hydration and moisturization), which was used on another group in the study. The researchers concluded that gotu kola may also help prevent the risk of contact dermatitis.
Also, a clinical study found that applying a gotu kola-based cream was associated with significant improvements in skin elasticity, moisturization, and wrinkle reduction.
In another clinical study, 20 women aged 20 to 60 used a cleanser of gotu kola extract, charcoal, and pearl powder. The women showed significant improvements in facial skin health; the formulation was especially good at facial cleansing.
In a clinical trial of 159 patients with dry skin, patients who received both a topical and oral extract of gotu kola had significant improvements in dry skin and overall skin health compared to the placebo. The researchers also noted that those who took gotu kola had higher levels of antioxidants.
In a clinical trial of 30 people with facial acne scars, the researchers applied a standardized extract of Centella asiatica to one side of the face and a placebo gel to the other side. They found that the side treated with gotu kola showed significant improvements in redness, crusting, and general wound appearance.
Lastly, in a clinical study of 25 volunteers, the researchers found that a gotu kola extract regimen improved skin moisturization and reduced inflammation levels.
Summary:
Human clinical studies show that gotu kola may work to promote wound healing, increase moisturization, and decrease inflammation.
3. May Improve Blood Pressure
Gotu kola may also help reduce blood pressure and prevent conditions associated with hypertension (i.e. high blood pressure).
Typical symptoms of high blood pressure include edema (swelling caused by excess fluid) and m